Pies, Partnerships, and a Better Future

Most of us have learned about partnerships the hard way: some work beautifully, and others end like a nasty divorce — complete with lawyers, alimony, and a tense discussion to decide who owns the Zoom account.

Like a good marriage, the right collaboration can enrich those involved, what they do, and how they do it. But, when it goes wrong, it can leave partners emotionally damaged, financially lighter, and googling “how to hide assets from my ex-partner.”

Partnerships are more important than ever because the challenges we face locally and globally are complex and interconnected. The good news is that we don’t have to start from scratch; the United Nations has already mapped out 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a shared framework for action on our most pressing social, economic, and environmental issues.

                           

So What’s Pie Got to Do It?
         
Think of your shared vision as a delicious pie you are baking together. Even if what you already have is “good enough,” or seems safe enough, the right partner can bring new ingredients, tools, and techniques that make the pie richer, stronger, and more satisfying.

In the best partnerships, everyone agrees on the same pie – the overall vision. However, each partner has a distinct slice that reflects their unique expertise and contribution. The magic happens when each partner is happy with their slice and less worried about anyone else’s. That’s when the pie becomes greater than the sum of its ingredients.

Why Collaboration Matters Now
No single organization, business, or sector can “bake the whole pie” alone. Collaboration between governments, businesses, social purpose organizations, and residents is essential for tackling complex issues such as poverty, climate, health, and equity.

When more partners gather around the same pie, they bring different perspectives and skills. That shared “in‑between” space becomes the kitchen where ideas, resources, and information are pooled, leading to innovation and fewer overlaps or duplicated efforts.

Are You Ready to Share the Pie?
Before you invite others into your kitchen, it helps to know who you are and what you’re ready for. Ask questions like:
• Why are we entering this collaboration now?
• What ingredients (assets, skills, relationships, credibility) do we bring?
• What do potential partners bring that could make the pie better?
• Do we have the time, energy, and resources to be a good partner?

Clarity on these questions helps you avoid forced or half‑baked partnerships that drain energy rather than build it.

Develop the Recipe Together
Once you know you want to make the same pie, you need a recipe you co‑create and own together. Strong collaborations:
• Have a jointly designed plan, not one imposed by a single player.
• Make room for each partner to use their strengths and share their expertise.
• Spend time talking about values, principles, and “kitchen rules” for how you work together.
• Prioritize open and honest communication. Kind of like checking the pie while it bakes helps you adjust the temperature before anything burns.

How Big Is This Pie?
Not every partnership needs to be a full‑on bakery. Some collaborations are:
• Short‑term and informal, where each partner keeps their own decision‑making and accountability
• Long‑term and formal, with shared decision‑making, joint accountability, and deeper integration
• Most real‑world partnerships live somewhere in between. What matters is that you are clear about the level of commitment and what each partner can reasonably contribute.

The Right Bakers at the Right Time
In the end, any good partnership is about the right people, in the right roles, at the right time, doing the right things together. When people pull in the same direction, aligned around a shared pie and clear slices, collaboration becomes less complicated.

It will still be challenging, but the core idea is simple: when we bake together, there’s more potential to make something far better than any of us could make alone.

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